Caitlin Cassidy

No more forced job cuts at Australian National University, staff told, but $250m restructure to continue Australian National Dictionary Centre granted lifeline by ‘anonymous donor’, while ANU music school’s future remains unclear * Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast There will be no more forced job cuts at the Australian National University, its interim vice-chancellor has announced, however, Julie Bishop will continue in her leadership role and a restructure at the embattled institution will continue. Addressing an all-staff town hall on Thursday morning, the interim vice-chancellor, Prof Rebekah Brown, became visibly emotional and held back tears before confirming there would no more involuntary redundancies as part of the restructure process, named Renew ANU. Continue reading...

No more forced job cuts at Australian National University, staff told, but $250m restructure to continue

Almost 30 staff at ANU humanities school stop work after health and safety report warns of ‘serious harm’ Workers affected by university restructure advised to ‘remove themselves from the hazardous work environment’ if they believe they are at psychosocial risk • Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Almost 30 staff at the Australian National University’s humanities school have stopped work after an internal report warned of psychological hazards in their workplace related to the institution’s restructure. The report was prepared by the health and safety representative (HSR) officer in ANU’s College of Arts and Social Sciences (Cass), who issued a cease-work order on Tuesday. Continue reading...

Almost 30 staff at ANU humanities school stop work after health and safety report warns of ‘serious harm’

"ALMOST 30 STAFF AT ANU HUMANITIES SCHOOL STOP WORK AFTER HEALTH AND SAFETY REPORT WARNS OF SERIOUS HARM"
@caitlinecassidy.bsky.social for @australia.theguardian.com

30 staff have stopped work at a #HumanitiesSchool.

FULL STORY: t.ly/IBhQd

#TheGuardianAustralia
#TomorrowsPapersToday
#IBPAPERS

In the days after my mum died, a blackbird lingered like a messenger of solace | Mark Saunokonoko Some Māori believe that when they die, their spirit travels up New Zealand to the tip of the North Island – souls flying like birds * Australian bird of the year 2025: nominate your favourite now After a long struggle with her health, Mum died in Auckland in 2012. At the end of her funeral service a blackbird (Turdus merula) flew inside the church. It fluttered and hopped about her coffin, which was laid on the floor in front of the altar on a beautiful Tongan tapa cloth. The blackbird lingered next to Mum for some time, then flew back out the open doors. I stayed at my sister Lisa’s home for a week after the funeral. The morning after the ceremony, a blackbird appeared in the back yard. I noticed it as I sat outside. It stayed around for a few days, sometimes perched in the sunshine on a brown wooden fence, often poking around for insects in the new spring grass. Those days were warm, still and quiet – far from how I felt. I found solace in the blackbird. Continue reading...

In the days after my mum died, a blackbird lingered like a messenger of solace | Mark Saunokonoko

Shakespearean drama at ANU has many wondering who will exit stage after vice-chancellor Genevieve Bell Chancellor Julie Bishop resists call to resign but fails to quell staff concerns about a drastic restructure, job losses, declining rankings and allegations of a toxic work culture

ANU Chancellor Julie Bishop resists call to resign but fails to quell staff concerns about a drastic restructure, job losses, declining rankings and allegations of a toxic work culture
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... by @caitlinecassidy.bsky.social #ausedu

A grassroots group of academics campaigning against the staff cuts said ...

“The issues at the heart of this crisis go beyond the vice chancellor. This has been years in the making, the product of deep governance failures that have damaged the university’s finances, reputation, and community trust.

A good first step, but let's not forget that the Nixon review found that "ANU has a remarkable tolerance for poor behaviour and bullying" and that there is "little or no consequence for this behaviour". This behaviour is entrenched and won't simply disappear because the VC has resigned

ANU vice-chancellor Genevieve Bell resigns amid crisis of confidence in leadership Resignation follows tumultuous period marked by redundancies, proposed course closures and allegations of a toxic work culture

The vice-chancellor of the Australian National University (ANU) has tendered her resignation after a tumultuous two years at the institution, marked by redundancies, proposed course closures, and allegations of a toxic work culture.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Pocock questions Bishop’s ANU leadership as pressure builds for chancellor and vice chancellor to step down Independent senator claims there was ‘no faith’ in leadership of Genevieve Bell or Julie Bishop among university staff

Speaking to Guardian Australia, Pocock said he had spoken with a “huge number of people” at the ANU, including deans, and it had become “very clear” that there was “no faith” in Bell or Bishop’s leadership and council needed to play a “far more active role”.

www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

I don’t know who needs to hear this: but if you are an AFL fan in Sydney who goes for an interstate team and you want to want the games at a pub - go to the Henson. They will not only play the game with sound, they will turn it up. #GoPies

Yarning circles, murals and athletics: schools prove there’s more to a good education than Naplan results Experts say national tests put undue pressure on students and argue many factors are important to help children thrive

Had such a lovely chat with the principal of Lethbridge Park public school yesterday - as a reminder that while NAPLAN is important for policy makers and educators, there’s a lot more to what makes up a good school

www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

This was fun

Australian envoy’s antisemitism plan criticised as ‘Trumpian’ over concerns changes could be used to silence dissent Recommendations to remove funding from institutions or charities that fail to act on antisemitism are ‘deeply dangerous’, critics say

Australian envoy’s antisemitism plan criticised as ‘Trumpian’ over concerns changes could be used to silence dissent

www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Hundreds form human chain to help Melbourne’s oldest bookshop relocate after more than a century Literature lovers braved wintry weather to pass thousands of books from Hill of Content’s original Bourke Street premises to its new home

www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Happy Hill of Content content

Artists, academics, charity workers: My DMs are open if you want to share your views on the antisemitism envoy's report. caitlin.cassidy@theguardian.com

YouTube video by Guardian Australia Slut-shamed and bullied by students: why teachers are quitting – Full Story #podcast #news #school

A little social clip too: youtube.com/shorts/URwsA...

Slut-shamed and bullied by students: why teachers are quitting - podcast Education reporter Caitlin Cassidy talks to Reged Ahmad about the teachers speaking out about why they are leaving the profession

@caitlinecassidy.bsky.social has been covering disturbing changes in student behaviour in Australian schools, speaking to teachers past and present. Listen here for more on the trend, and the possible causes. #FullStory @australia.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Yes

Pope Francis hasn’t watched TV since 1990. Has he missed anything good? Here’s a catchup guide to what the rest of us have viewed over the past 25 years

If you, like me, were wondering if the Pope watched Conclave, according to the Internet, he stopped watching TV in July 1990 after making a personal promise to Virgin Memory but prior to that did enjoy watching films, particularly Federico Fellini and neorealism.
theguardian.com/world/shortc...

Australian academics refuse to attend US conferences for fear of being detained ‘When academics fear travelling or partnering with US institutions, the impacts ripple through the entire global knowledge ecosystem,’ Dr Alison Barnes says

Its not a ripple, its a tidal wave. www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Australian academics refuse to attend US conferences for fear of being detained ‘When academics fear travelling or partnering with US institutions, the impacts ripple through the entire global knowledge ecosystem,’ Dr Alison Barnes says

Australian academics refuse to attend US conferences for fear of being detained www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Australian academics refuse to attend US conferences for fear of being detained ‘When academics fear travelling or partnering with US institutions, the impacts ripple through the entire global knowledge ecosystem,’ Dr Alison Barnes says

"Australian academics are not only cancelling trips ...Scholarships are being rescinded and grant funding pulled as the fallout from the Trump administration’s interference continues." @caitlinecassidy.bsky.social

So much for "shared values" with the US. #auspol
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Let’s go

The great Australian election campaign quiz – week one Who will win the federal election? We have no idea, but luckily that’s not one of the questions * Polls tracker; election guide; full federal election coverage * Anywhere but Canberra; interactive electorates guide * Listen to the first episode of our new narrative podcast series: Gina * Get our afternoon election email, free app or daily news podcast Continue reading...

The great Australian election campaign quiz – week one

Last night I saw the movie Flow and I laughed and cried and beamed with delight. It was so beautiful! I loved it so much! The golden Labrador reminded me of my golden Labrador and a capybara played a starring role!

Bullied, slut-shamed, overworked: why Australia could lose an ‘entire generation’ of school principals A new report details ‘really inappropriate’ student behaviour as educators point to an alarming cultural shift playing out in the classroom

A fantastic (and worrying) story from @caitlinecassidy.bsky.social :

www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Australia's science agency sent questions from Trump administration asking if it is taking ‘appropriate measures’ against gender ideology Other questions include whether science organisation receives funding from China and whether it is a climate or ‘environmental justice’ project

"It comes as the federal government is under mounting pressure to respond to the US attacks on scientific funding." @caitlinecassidy.bsky.social

I'd be telling the US govt to FRO.
And seek partners who were more reliable, and not driven by anti-science ideology.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Oscar-winning Palestinian director attacked by Israeli settlers and arrested No Other Land’s Hamdan Ballal attacked by armed settlers in West Bank and handed to Israeli military, witnesses say

I saw this movie last week and couldn’t believe it’s been banned in parts of the US. This is devastating www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...

Australian university researchers told ‘woke gender ideology’ among reasons behind Trump funding cuts Researchers receive memo notifying ‘temporary’ funding pause prompting push for Australian government to pursue European partnerships

Australian university researchers told ‘woke gender ideology’ among reasons behind Trump funding cuts

www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Sydney University apologises after threatening international student with possible suspension over Palestine protest The student, who is transgender, said she feared deportation after allegedly writing protest messages on campus whiteboards

The University of Sydney has apologised after initially telling a transgender international student she could face suspension after she allegedly wrote messages accusing the university of complicity in genocide in Gaza on campus whiteboards. @caitlinecassidy.bsky.social reports